Downfall

Downfall, a horror title from 2016, presents an interesting stress test for this pairing of AMD's Zen 4 desktop processor and NVIDIA's Turing-based graphics card. The measured data reveals a system that is clearly capable of delivering playable experiences, but the balance between the CPU and GPU shifts dramatically depending on the resolution and quality preset selected. This analysis breaks down those results, placing them in context against the hardware's broader benchmark standings and the specific frame rates observed.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The AMD Ryzen 5 7400F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Zen 4 architecture, built on TSMC's 5 nm process. It has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, which are significant factors in its performance. In synthetic tests, the processor demonstrates strong single-core capability with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3072, and its multi-core prowess is evident in a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21765. This blend of high clocks and modern architecture places the CPU at the 83rd percentile against all CPUs in the database, indicating it is a robust performer for gaming workloads.

For a game like Downfall, which relies on consistent frame pacing, the CPU's single-threaded performance is often the critical factor. The Ryzen 5 7400F's strong showing in single-core tests suggests it can handle the game's simulation and logic threads without becoming a bottleneck at lower resolutions. The data supports this; at 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 174 FPS, a very high frame rate that is unlikely to be constrained by the processor's six cores.

However, the CPU's role becomes less dominant as the resolution increases. The `nearestRivals` data shows the Ryzen 5 7400F is closely matched with the Intel Core i5-14600T and AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850H, with `deltaPct` values of only 0.1% and -0.2% respectively. This means that while the CPU is a solid performer, it is not in a league of its own. The measured FPS in Downfall suggests that at 1440p and 4K, the frame rates are increasingly dictated by the GPU, as the CPU's headroom for generating frames is ample. The processor's 32 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR5 memory support contribute to its responsiveness, but the game's results show that the most significant performance shifts occur when the GPU is either heavily loaded or given less work to do.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 is a Turing-architecture GPU with 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 336.0 GB/s. Its boost clock is 1680 MHz, and it features 1920 shading units. The GPU's overall benchmark performance places it at the 58th percentile against all GPUs, with a Passmark G3D score of 14111. This indicates it is a mid-range performer, and its `nearestRivals` include the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 and AMD Radeon 680M, with `deltaPct` values of 0% and 0.1%, showing it is very closely matched with those parts in average benchmark scores.

In Downfall, the RTX 2060's 6 GB of VRAM is a key specification. At 4K resolution with High settings, the GPU has to render a massive number of pixels, and the data shows the average FPS drops to 52, a significant decrease from the 83 FPS seen at 1440p High. The VRAM capacity and bandwidth are likely the limiting factors here, as the card struggles to maintain the same level of performance as it does at lower resolutions. The difference between Low and Ultra settings at 4K is stark: 77 FPS vs. 32 FPS. This 45 FPS gap highlights how sensitive the GPU is to the increased shader complexity and texture detail at higher presets.

The GPU's role is clearly the dominant force in determining performance at higher resolutions. While the CPU is capable of high frame rates, the RTX 2060's rendering throughput and memory subsystem become the primary constraint as the resolution scales up. The data shows that at 1080p, the GPU can push frame rates well above 100 FPS on most presets, but at 4K, even the Medium preset only yields an average of 63 FPS, with a minimum of 54 FPS. This suggests that for a consistent 60 FPS experience at 4K, the user must dial settings down, whereas at 1080p, the GPU is far from being the bottleneck.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 5 7400F and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 is ranked 2306 out of 2928 tested combinations in Downfall. This places it in the lower half of all tested system pairings, which is a telling statistic. The `comboRankInGame` field shows that this specific CPU-GPU pairing is not among the top performers for this title, despite the CPU's high percentile ranking. The data suggests that the GPU is the limiting factor, dragging the overall combo ranking down.

To put this in perspective, the CPU is at the 83rd percentile, while the GPU is at the 58th percentile. The combo's rank of 2306 out of 2928 suggests that many other combinations, likely those with more powerful GPUs, achieve better performance in Downfall. The rank is not based on a simple average of the two components' percentiles, but rather on measured FPS in the game. Given that the RTX 2060 is a mid-range card, this ranking is expected. The data implies that while the Ryzen 5 7400F is a strong foundation, it is paired with a GPU that limits the system's overall capability in this specific title.

The nearest rivals for the CPU and GPU separately do not directly translate to combo rankings, but they do provide context. The CPU's rivals are all within a 0.3% performance delta, meaning the choice of processor among these models would have a negligible impact on the combo's rank. The GPU's rivals, such as the AMD Radeon 680M, are integrated graphics or lower-tier discrete cards, and the RTX 2060's performance is only 0.8% ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 7600 in average benchmark scores. This suggests that the combo's rank is heavily influenced by the GPU's position in the market, and any upgrade to the graphics card would likely result in a significant improvement in the game's ranking.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The measured FPS data provides a detailed look at how this system handles Downfall across three resolutions and four quality presets. At 1080p, the system is very capable. With Low settings, the average FPS is 174. Moving to Medium, the average drops to 142 FPS, with a minimum of 121 and a maximum of 164. High settings yield 117 FPS on average. At Ultra, the average FPS falls to 73, which is still a playable frame rate, but it represents a 58% decrease from the Low preset's 174 FPS.

At 1440p, the performance scales down as expected. The Low preset delivers an average of 124 FPS, which is a 50 FPS drop from the 1080p Low result. Medium settings produce an average of 102 FPS, with a minimum of 86 and a maximum of 117. High settings average 83 FPS, and Ultra drops to 52 FPS. The gap between Medium and Ultra at 1440p is 50 FPS, showing that the Ultra preset is particularly demanding on the GPU.

At 4K, the system's limitations become clear. The Low preset averages 77 FPS, which is a significant drop from the 124 FPS at 1440p Low. The Medium preset averages 63 FPS, with a minimum of 54 and a maximum of 73. High settings average 52 FPS, and Ultra drops to 32 FPS. The data shows that at 4K, the system is only able to achieve a consistently smooth 60 FPS experience on the Low preset, and even that is close to the threshold. The 4K Ultra result of 32 FPS is nearly unplayable, indicating that the RTX 2060 is not suited for this resolution at high quality settings in this game.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play Downfall at with this system for a 60 FPS experience?

A: At 1440p with Medium settings, the system achieves an average of 102 FPS, with a minimum of 86 FPS. This provides a comfortable margin above 60 FPS, making 1440p a viable choice for a smooth experience without resorting to the lowest quality settings.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Downfall?

A: The data shows that at 4K, the system can only achieve an average of 77 FPS on Low settings. If a 60 FPS average is the target, the Low preset is the only option that reliably meets it, as the Medium preset's minimum FPS of 54 is below that threshold.

Q: How does the CPU's performance compare to its closest rivals?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7400F has an average benchmark score of 32750. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-14600T, has an average score of 32707, which is 0.1% slower. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850H is 0.2% faster with a score of 32812, showing the CPU is in a tight performance bracket.

Q: How does the GPU's performance compare to its closest rivals?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 has an average benchmark score of 15290. Its closest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580, has a score of 15283, a 0% difference. The AMD Radeon 680M is 0.1% faster with a score of 15270, placing the GPU in a very competitive segment.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor for this combo in Downfall?

A: The data indicates the GPU is the limiting factor, especially at higher resolutions. The CPU is at the 83rd percentile, while the GPU is at the 58th. The significant FPS drops when moving from 1440p to 4K, and the large differences between Low and Ultra settings, point to the GPU's rendering limits.

Q: What is the highest quality setting that maintains a 60 FPS average at 1080p?

A: The Ultra preset at 1080p yields an average of 73 FPS. This is the highest quality setting that still maintains an average above 60 FPS, although it is lower than the 142 FPS average of the Medium preset.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS, the optimal experience depends on the target resolution. For a 1080p display, the High preset offers a strong balance, achieving 117 FPS on average. This provides a high frame rate with better visual fidelity than the Medium preset. The Ultra preset, while hitting 73 FPS on average, offers diminishing returns for the performance cost, but it is still playable.

At 1440p, the Medium preset is the recommended choice. It delivers an average of 102 FPS with a minimum of 86 FPS, ensuring a smooth experience without the significant performance hit of High or Ultra presets. The High preset at 83 FPS is also acceptable, but the Medium preset provides more headroom for demanding scenes.

For 4K, the Low preset is the only viable option for a consistent 60 FPS experience, as it averages 77 FPS. The Medium preset's average of 63 FPS is close to the threshold, but its minimum of 54 FPS suggests it may dip below 60 FPS in intense moments. The data suggests that for the best experience at 4K, one must accept Low settings. For players who prioritize visual quality over frame rate, the Medium preset at 4K is a gamble, but it may be acceptable for those who do not mind occasional dips below 60 FPS.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The FPS scaling from 1080p to 4K is dramatic and reveals the system's bottleneck. At High settings, the average FPS drops from 117 at 1080p to 83 at 1440p, and finally to 52 at 4K. This represents a 55.6% decrease in performance from 1080p to 4K. Similarly, at Medium settings, the FPS drops from 142 at 1080p to 102 at 1440p and 63 at 4K, a 55.6% decrease as well. This consistent percentage drop across different presets is a classic sign of a GPU-limited scenario.

The CPU's performance is relatively constant across resolutions, as its workload does not scale with pixel count. Since the Ryzen 5 7400F is capable of high frame rates, as seen in the 1080p Low result of 174 FPS, it is not the limiting factor. The RTX 2060, with its 6 GB of VRAM and 336.0 GB/s bandwidth, is unable to maintain the same level of output as the pixel count quadruples from 1080p to 4K. The data strongly implies that to improve 4K performance, a GPU upgrade would be necessary, as the CPU has ample headroom. The fact that the 4K Ultra preset yields only 32 FPS, while 1080p Ultra yields 73 FPS, shows the GPU's rendering capabilities are the primary constraint on this system's overall performance in Downfall.